Boy accidentally shoots, wounds girl near Springfield

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Authorities say a 6-year-old has accidentally shot and wounded his 7-year-old sister while playing with a gun in southwest Missouri.

The Greene County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that the shooting happened Wednesday morning just southwest of the Springfield city limits.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that the release says the girl was taken to a hospital with what appear to be non-life threatening injuries and is in stable condition. The release says the gun was unknowingly dropped by an adult guest at the residence.

Sheriff Jim Arnott urged adults to not leave weapons lying around when small children are present and to teach children proper safety with weapons. He described what happened as "unfortunate" and said officials are "thankful" the girl will survive.